Articles

Definite, Indefinite and No Article

The Indefinite Article – A / AN

We use A/AN with:

Singular nouns and the first time we refer to a person, animal or thing.

A child

An elephant

A television

A is used when the next word begins with a consonant sound (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k etc.).

A book

A table

A clock

A university (because the beginning of university sounds like YOU-niversity)

AN is used when the next word begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).

An apple

An elephant

An umbrella

An hour (because the H is silent) OUR

The Definite Article – THE

Pronunciation

The + consonant word (da)

The book – the table – the laptop

The + vowel word (di)

The English book - the end – The United States

We use THE with:

1. A singular or plural noun when it is clear/obvious which person or thing we are talking
about.

There is a lamp in my bedroom. (We mention the lamp for the first time)

The lamp is next to the desk.

There is an apple in my bedroom. The apple is green.

2. Musical instruments (the violin, the guitar, the drums, the flute, the piccolo).

She plays the piano.

3. Something that is unique or there is only one.

The sun

The moon

The internet

4. Names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges and deserts (always in capitals).

The Mississippi River

The Black Sea

The Andes

The Sahara Desert

5. Directions (cardinal points).

The west

The south-east

The north-west.

No Article / Zero Article

We use no article with:

1. When we refer to general ideas, plurals or uncountable nouns we do not use THE.

A general idea: Religion. A specific idea: The Christian religion.

A general idea: Music. A specific idea: the music of Mozart.

A general idea: Exams. A specific idea: The exam I take next week.

2. Names of people, books and plays (unless it is part of the title).

I have read Romeo and Juliet.

I have read The Shinning

3. Towns, cities, states and countries.

Cape Town

Montana

Vietnam

(Exceptions – The USA, The UK, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, The Philippines).

4. Lakes, single islands, continents or mountains.

Lake Victoria

Jamaica

Asia

Mount Fuji
5. Planets

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

6. Sports or games

Soccer

Tennis

Skiing

Monopoly

7. Meals

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Supper